Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Melinda and Melinda
2004
***
Director: Woody Allen
Cast: Radha Mitchell, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Will Ferrell, Amanda Peet, Chloë Sevigny

Four people discuss over dinner whether life is essentially tragic or comic, and imagine two alternate versions of Melinda's story. In the tragedy she's a suicidal divorcee who lost her children, in the comedy she's a quirky single woman. Allen's dialogue is sharp and Radha Mitchell shines in the dual role. Other than that, it's a rather forgettable movie occupied by flimsy and vacuous characters.